Computing mechanism



Jan. 31, 1939. w MAXSON 2,145,843

COMPUTING MECHANISM Original Filed March 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 31, 1939. w. 1.. MAXSON COMPUTING MECHANISM Original File d March 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet" 2 I NVENTOR if 8% ATTORNES Jan. 31, 1939. w. L. MAXSON COMPUTING MECHANISM Original Filed March 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN )hwzmmu di -74 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 31, 1939. w. L. MAXSON 2,145,843

, COMPUTING MECHANISM Original Filed March 16, 193,2 4 Sheets-Shem. 4

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- INOEIiFNTOR BY C ATToRNsza Patented Jan. 31, 1939 v 2,145,843-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPUTING MECHANISM William L. Maxson, Norfolk, Va.

Application March 16, 1932, Serial No. 599,078 Renewed August 23, 1937 22 Claims. (Cl. 14-283) This invention relates to computing devices. stance, it is assumed that the shaft I4 is con- An object of this invention is a computing denected with a gasoline pump in such manner vice for use in connection with a dispensing apthat it makes one complete revolution for each paratus and having provision for registering both ten gallons of gasoline dspensed. A dial 13a is 5 the number of units of the commodity dispensed supported by the wall 13 and is visible through 5 in a single operation of the dispensing device and the cover I I, this dial being provided with equalthe monetary value of the dispensed units at any ly spaced numbers indicating gallons of gasogiven whole or mixed number price per unit in line. A pointer Ha is frictionally mounted on a predetermined schedule. the shaft l4 and cooperates with the numbers to A further object of the invention is the proindicate the number of gallons of gasoline dis- 10 vision in such computing device of means to regpensed in any one operation of the device. This ister the total number of units dispensed by the pointer may be re-set to zero merely by rotatapparatus for a period of operation and also the ing the same on the shaft l4. total value of the dispensed commodity. A circular plate I6 is slidably keyed to the 15 A computing device of this character is of shaftit. This plate is provided with a plural- 15 particular utility in connection with apparatus t) Of co c c annular w of teeth 97! The for dispensing gasoline as the per gallon price of number of rows may be varied to meet the condigasoline is often a mixed number and changes tions of operation of the device. but in the presfrequently and the specific embodiment described ent embodimen here are 33 rows. The inner herein is adapted for use with gasoline pumps. IOW has twenty-four teeth and each Succeeding Means are provided for adjusting the computing I'OW as s ore teeth, so that the outer row device to work on different unit prices without o t ins 6 1568 1 in any way interfering with the means for regis- A Shaft 93 1S journalled in bearings in the tering the total amount of the commodity alframe l2 and extends radially of the shaft l4. A ready dispensed and the value of the same. p n on 9 is slidbly keyed to the shaft IS. A 25 Other objects, novel features and advantages second shaft 20 is journalled in the frame i 2 and of this invention will be apparent from the fole t s radially 0f the Shaft l4 and a Pinion 2| lowing specification and accompanying drawis slidably keyed to this shaft. Pinion I9 is proings, wherein: vided with 15 teeth and the pin 2| has 24 teeth. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a devi A slide 22 is provided with a yoke 23 which is 80 bodying the invention, received in an annular groove on the hub of the Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section Pinion IS. The slide 22 is guided b Vertical through the device, portion of the frame l2 to slide parallel to the Fig. 3 is a, section on the line 3 3 of Fi 2; shaft i8 and is mounted on a rod 24 provided 85 Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; near its ends with pinions 25 which mesh with Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on th racks 26 attached to the side walls of thecasing.

line 5-5 of Fig. 3; One end of the rod 24 projects through a slot in Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with th l the casing and is provided with a knurled button merits in different position; 21 by means of which the rod 24 may be ro- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on the li 1 .1 tated to effect vertical movement of the slide 40 of Fig. 4, and r 22 and thus bring the pinion l9 into operative Fig. 8 is a. fragmentary section o th li 9-3 relation to any one of the rows of teeth H. An of Fig.3. indicator 28 is carried by the rod 24 to coast The computing device is housed within with a scale 29-110 indicate the position of the ing ill having a transparent front cover ll. P n 9 w t espect to t e rows of teeth. A 45 Within thecasing there is provided a frame [2 S a Slide has a y e 3d operatively rehaving a'wall i3 in proximity to the transparent lated t e pinion 2|. This slide is mounted on cover II. A shaft H is journalled in the frame a od 11 av pinions 5a ar ts ends which l2 and has its ends extending through the rear mesh w Tacks 2541 and is provided with a 60 wall of the housing Ill and the cover ll. This knurled button 21!: and an indicator 28a, 00- shaft is adapted to be connected by any suitable operating with a scale 2911- t al bars 24' are means to a rotating portion of a dispensing appressed against the rod 24 and 24a by springs paratus in such manner that the extent of rota- 24". The racks 26 and 26a are provided with tion of the shaft is proportional to the amount notches in which the rods 24 and-24a seat when 65 of the commodity dispensed. In the present in-- the pinions l8 and 2| are in alinement with the row of teeth corresponding to the notch and to the scale'indication. This arrangement serves accurately to locate the pinions.

A lever 36 is fulcrumed to a plate 3| carried by the rear wallof the casing and serves as one of the journals for the shaft I4. One end of this lever extends through a side wall of the casing and at its other end is provided with a yoke 36a having pins 32 projecting into a groove in the hub of the plate l6. A spring 33 has one end arranged in a recess in the hub and the other end bearing against the plate 3|. 7

When it is desired to change the position of the pinions l9 and 2| with respect to the rows of teeth on the plate I6, the lever 36 is actuated to move the plate away from the pinions, whereupon the rods 24 and 2411 are rotated to move the pinions into the new position. The lever 36 is then released, allowing the spring 33 to move the plate toward the pinions to bring the selected rows of teeth into mesh therewith.

' A gear 34 is keyed to the shaft l3 and meshes with a gear 35 rotatably mounted on a shaft 36 journalled in the frame l2. The gear 34 has a 1 to 2 ratio to the gear 35. A pinion 31 is keyed t0 the shaft 26 and meshes with a gear 36 fixed on the hub of a pinion 39 journalled on a shaft 46 supported by the frame l2. The pinion 39 meshes with a gear 4| carried by a pinion 42 which is journalled on the shaft l4. The pinion 42 meshes with a gear 43 which is journalled on the shaft 36. The ratio between the gear 31 and the gear 43 is 1 to 50. The shaft 36 has a spider 44 fixed thereto and on the spider .are journalled pinion's 45 which mesh with ring gears 46 and 41 mounted on the gears 35 and 43, respectively.

A wire helix 43 surrounds the shaft 36 and has one end fixed to the frame l2. This helix acts as a one-way brake to prevent rotation of the shaft 36 in one direction. A spiral pinion 49 is keyed to the shaft 36' and meshes with a spiral gear on a shaft 50. The shaft 36 projects slightly beyond the pinion 49 and extends into a recess in a stub shaft 5| which is rotatably supported in a sleeve 52 journall'ed in the wall I3. The stub shaft 5| has a flange 53 between which and the pinion 49 there is provided a friction disk 54. A wheel 55 is fixed to the shaft 5| and a spring 56 is provided between the wheel 55 and an annular plate 51 surrounding the shaft 5| and having a ball-race in which are arranged antifriction balls 58 which also run in arace-way in the flange 53. A ratchet wheel 59 is rigidly connected to the sleeve 52 and is provided with an annular row of apertures in which are mounted anti-friction balls 66 which engage the wheel 55 and also a bearing plate 6| surrounding the sleeve. The stub shaft 5| and the sleeve 62 carry pointers 62 and 63 and on the dial l3a there'is provided a smaller dial. 64 with which the pointers cooperate to indicate thevalue of the commodity dispensed. This dial is provided with numbers 1 to 9 representing dollars and with intermediate indicia representing .cents. The pointer 62 registers cents while the pointer 63 registers dollars.

The wheel 56 is provided with an arcuate cut- 7 out portion 55a which is adapted to receive an arcuate detent 65 projecting from a lever '66 fulcrumed on the frame l2. A link 61 is con- 7. nected to the free end of the lever'66 and has an toward the wheel 55. In the position of rest of the apparatus, the pointers 62 and 63 register with the zero mark on the dial 64 and the various elements are in the position shown in Fig. 5 with the projection 65 seated in the recess 55a. The detent 65 prevents clockwise rotation of the wheel 55 from its position of rest (Fig. 5), while permitting counter-clockwise rotation from said position which results in camming the detent out of the recess and moving the lever 66 to the left (Fig. 6). The link 61 carries a pawl H which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 59 to effect step by step rotation thereof. A pawl 12 is provided to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel to yieldably restrain the same against clockwise or counter-clockwise movement with the pointer 63 at zero or in register with one of the dollar numbers. A rod 13. is slidably keyed in the stub shaft 5| by means of a pin 14 which projects through a slot in the sleeve 52 and is adapted in one position of the rod'13 to engage a lug 15 carried by the sleeve 52. A spring 16 normally holds the rod 13 in such position that the pin 14 is out of register with the lug 15.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, rotation is imparted to the stub shaft 5| from the pinion 49 through the friction disk 54, thus rotating the wheel 55 counter-clockwise from its position of rest. Such rotation of the wheel 55 cams the detent 65 out of the recess 5511. thereby moving the lever 66 to the position shown in Fig. 6. The pointer 62 is thus moved over the dial 64. After the wheel 55 has made one complete revolution, the recess 55a comes again into alinement with the projection 65, thereby permitting the spring III to draw the link 61 to the right to engage the pawl II with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and advance the same one step. The pointer 63 is thereupon advanced one step. The dollar pointer is not moved until after the cents pointer has made one complete revolution, thereby preventing any misreading of the register. Further rotation of the shaft 52 repeats the above described action.

In order to explain the operation of the computing device assume, first, that the price of gasoline is eighteen cents. The slide 22 is so adjusted that the pinion i9 is in mesh with the fifteenth row of teeth H, which row has 108 teeth. The pinion 2| is so arranged at the upper end of the shaft 26 that it is out of mesh with the teeth on 3 and is held against rotation by a stop 2|a as shown in dot dash, Fig. 3. .As the plate l6 makes onerevolution representing ten gallons, the pinion |9 will make 7 and A; revolutions and the gear 35 will make 3 and %ths revolutions. The pointer 62 will come to rest at 80 cents, while the pointer 63 will have been stepped to one dollar, thusregistering $1.80. Now, assume that the price is 18 and fiths cents. The decimal is taken care of as follows: each fourth row of teeth ll represents a tenth of a cent. The pinion 2| is, therefore, set in mesh with the fifth or 48 tooth row which represents fi ths of a cent. A complete revolution of the plate |6 will turn the gear 31 through two revolutions and because of the reduction gearing between the gear 31 and the gear 43, the latter will be turned yggth of a revolution, but in the same direction as the gear 35. Therefore. the spider 44 will be additionally advanced th of'a revolution more than it would be rotated had the gear 43 remained stationary, this additional advancement being the result of the differential gearing constituted by the gears 45, 46 and 41. The pointer 62 will. therefore stop I 49 and the stub shaft permits rotation of the shaft relative to the pinion. The detent 65 seats in the recess 55a. and stops further rotation thereof. To reset the pointer 63, the rod 13 is pushed in, before rotation to bring the pin 14 into position to engage the lug I5 and is then rotated as before. The pin 14 engages lug I5 and moves the pointer 63 along with the pointer 52. The wheel 55 and ratchet wheel 59 are thus rotated clockwise in Figs. 5 and 6. Rotation of the rod is continued until the wheel 55 is stopped as above described. The arrangement of the pin 14 and lug I5 is such that when the wheel 55 is stopped, the pointer 62 is at zero position, but the ratchet wheel 59 has been rotated clockwise-beyond the position at which the pointer 63 is at zero position. The lever 66 stands in the position shown in Fig. 6 with the pawl II in position to engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 59, until its release by seating of the detent 65 in the recess 55a when it will have been released, but will be held against 'full return movement by reason of engagement of the pawl H with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel. As soon as the rod 13 is released and moved outwardly by its spring to disengage the pin 14 from the lug 15, the spring I0 draws the link 61 to the right, thereby rotating the ratchet wheel counterclockwise inFigs. 5 and 6 to zero position and fully seating the projection 65 in the recess 55a.

Registers I6 and 160. are provided to register the total number of gallons of gasoline sold and the value of the same. These registers are mounted on the rear face of the wall l3 and the totals are visible through slots in the wall. The register 16 is driven by the shaft 50 through the medium of pinions l1 and 18 carried respectively by the shaft 50 and the drive shaft of the register. This register is, therefore, actuated in synchonism with the rotation of the shaft 36. The register 16a is driven from the shaft it through the medium of spiral gears 19 and carried respectively by the shaft H and the drive shaft of the register 16a. The register 16a is therefore actuated in synchronism with the shaft H.

A cover 8! is hinged to the casing l0 and is provided for preventing unauthorized access to the' knobs 21 and 21a and also the lever 30. A lock 82 is provided for locking the cover in closed position. The cover is provided with a slot 83 through which the end of the handle 30 extends when the cover is closed, the lever being held against movement by engagement of the ends of the slot. The cover is also provided with a vertical offset to receive the knobs 21 and 21a irrespective of the adjustment of these knobs. When it is desired to change the setting of the apparatus, the cover 81 is swung open, thus giving free access to the knobs 21 and 21a and permitting operation of the lever 30.

It is of course understood that various modifications maybe made in the structure above described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

I claim:

1. In a. computing mechanism, a rotatable member having a.- plurality of concentric rows of teeth, two shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted on said shafts for selective engagement with said rows of teeth, a third shaft having two gears rotatably mounted thereon in spaced relation, different ratio driving connections between said pinions and said gears, for rotating the latter in the same direction at different rates than the first gear, a spider fixed to said third shaft between said gears, and a pinion supported by said spider, said pinion being in mesh with both-of said gears.

2. In a computing mechanism, a rotatable member having a plurality of concentric rows of teeth, two shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted on said shafts for engagement with selected rows of teeth, means to vary the positions of said pinions axially of their shafts, a third shaft having two gears rotatably mounted thereon in spaced relation, different ratio driving connections between said pinions and said gears for rotating the latter in the same direction at different rates than the first gear, a spider fixed to said third shaft between saidgears, and a pinion supported by said spider, said pinion being in mesh with both of said gears.

3. In a computing mechanism, a rotatable member having a plurality of concentric rows of teeth; two shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted-on said shafts for engagement with selected rows of teeth,

-means for varying the positions of said pinions axially of said shafts, a third shaft, two gears rotatably mounted thereon in spaced relation, different ratio driving connections between said pinions and gears for rotating the latter in the same direction at different rates, a spider fixed to said third shaft between said gears and a pinioncarried by said spider in mesh with both of said gears.

4. In a computing mechanism, a rotatable member having a plurality of concentric rows of teeth, two shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted on said shafts for engagement with selected rows of teeth, means for varying the positions of said pinions axially of said shafts, a third shaft, two gears rotatably mounted thereon in spaced relation, driving connections of one ratio between one of said pinions and one of said gears for rotating the latter at a predetermined rate, driving connections of another ratio between the second pinion and the second gear for rotating the latter in the same direction at a lower rate than the first gear, a spider fixed to said third shaft between said gears, and a, pinion carried by said spider in mesh with both of said gears.

5. In a computing mechanism a rotatable member having a plurality of concentric rows of teeth, twov shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted on said shafts for engagement with selected rows of teeth, means for varying the positions of said pinions axially of said shaft, a third shaft, two gears rotatably ential rotation of said gears.

6. Ina computing mechanism, a rotatable member having a plurality of concentric rows of teeth, two shafts arranged radially of said member, pinions slidably mounted on said shafts for selective engagement with said rows of teeth.

a third shaft, gears rotatably mounted thereon in spaced relation, different ratio driving connections between said pinions and said gears for rotating the gears in the same direction, and driving means between said gears and said third shaft reactive to differential rotation of said gears.

'7. In a computing mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, rotatable members, differential gearing between said members and said driven shaft, different ratio driving means for each rotatable member selectively and independently connectable to said driving shaft for rotating each member at a predetermined ratio to said driving'shaft, said means comprising a set of coplanar and concentric gear teeth carried by said driving shaft and axially movable thereon and means for locking one rotatable member.

8. In a computing mechanism, a first shaft, a second shaft, and means interposed between said first shaft and second shaft for giving two different characteristics of rotation to said second shaft, said means including a plurality of gear teeth arranged in concentric and coplanar relation, gears selectively engageable therewith, and different ratio gearmeans interposed between said selective gears and said second shaft.

9. In a computing mechanism, a first shaft, a second shaft, means interposed between said first shaft and second shaft for giving a selected characteristic of rotation to said second shaft, said means including a plurality of coplanar and concentric gear teeth arranged and adapted tobe selectively geared to said second shaft and selectively operable means interposed between said first and second shafts for giving another selected characteristic of rotation to said second shaft, and setting means for said other means visibly indicating the selected characteristics of rotation.

10. In a computing mechanism, the combination of a first shaft, a member rotatable therewith and having a. plurality of coplanar and concentric rows of teeth, a pair of shafts adjacent thereto, gear means slidably mounted on said pair of shafts for selective engagement with said rows of teeth, a fourth shaft, and different ratio gear means differentially disposed between said fourth shaft and said pair of shafts whereby rotation of said first shaft selectively variably drives said fourth shaft.

11. A computing mechanism comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, means interposed between said driving and driven shafts for giving two different characteristics of rotation to said driven shaft, said means including a plurality of gear teeth arranged in concentric and coplanar relation, gears selectively engageable therewith, different ratio gear means interposed between said selective gears and said driven shaft and indicating means positively associated with each gear for identifying the gear teeth with which such gear is engaged.

12. A computing mechanism comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a first means interposed between said shafts for giving a first selected characteristic of rotation to said driven shaft, a second means interposed between said shafts for giving a second selected characteristic of rotation to said driven shaft, said means including a plurality of gear teeth arranged in concentric and coplanar relation and gears adapted to be selectively engaged with said gear. teeth and indicating means positively associated with each gear ,shafts for giving two different characteristics of rotation to said second shaft, said means includ-, ing a plurality of concentric and coplanar rows of gear teeth, gears selectively engageable therewith, difierent ratio gear means interposed between said selective gears and said second shaft, and'me'ans operable from the exterior of said casing for selectively engaging said gears with said gear teeth.

14. A computing mechanism according to claim 13 in which indicating means are positively associated with each gear for visibly indicating the relation of said gears to said gear .teeth.

15. A computing mechanism comprising a casing containing a driving shaft, adriven shaft, a first means interposed between said shafts for giving a first selected, characteristic of rotation to said driven shaft, a second means interposed between said shafts for giving a second selected characteristic of rotation to said driven shaft, said means including a plurality of gear teeth arranged in concentric and coplanar relation and prises a shaft connected thereto and having one and projecting through a slot in the casing, a pinion carried by said shaft, a rack with which said pinion engages and means on said shaft exterior of said casing for effecting rotation of said shaft. I

18. A computing mechanism according to claim 15 in which said setting means for each gear comprises a shaft connected thereto and having 'oneend projecting through a slot in the casing,

a. pinion carried by said shaft, a rack.with which said pinion engages and means on said shaft exterior of said casing for effecting rotation of said shaft and indicating means positively associated with each gear for visibly identifying the selected characteristics of rotation.

19. A computing mechanism comprising a casing having an external planarface, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, means interposed between the shafts for giving two different characters of rotation to said driven shaft, said means including a plurality of co-axially arranged gear teeth, gears selectively engageable therewith, va splined shaft for each of said gears on which such gear is slidably movable, different ratio gear means interposed between said selective gears and said driven shaft, means whereby each of said gears may be propelled on its shaft into any selected operative posititon, an indicator positively associated with each gear for identifying the gear teeth with which such gear is engaged, said indicators being disposed at said planar face of said casing and visibleon the exterior of said casing and means for causing each indicator to follow the movement of its corresponding gear while said gear is being propelled on its shaft into any selected position, said indicators being disstitute a readily readable indication in correspondence with the ratio of rotation between the driven and the driving shafts.

20. A computing mechanism comprising a casing having an external planar face, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, means interposed between the shafts-for giving two different characters of rotation to said driven shaft, said means including a plurality of co-axially arranged gear teeth, gears selectively engageable therewith, a splined shaft for each of said gears on which such gear is slidably movable, different ratio gear means interposed between said selective gears and said driven shaft, means whereby each of said gears may be propelled on its shaft into any selected operative position, an indicator positively associated with each gear for identifying the gear teeth with which such gear is engaged, said indicators being disposed at said planar face of said casing and visible on the exterior of said casing and means comprising a rack and pinion for causing each indicator to follow the movement of its corresponding gear while said gear is being propelled on its shaft into any selected position, said indicators being disposed on parallel axes so that together they constitute'a readily readable indication in correspondence with the ratio of rotation between the driven and the driving shafts.

21. A computing mechanism comprising, in combination, a supporting frame having a pair of spaced apart parallel plates; at driving shaft passing through said plates; one end of said driving shaft extending outwardly from one of said plates being available to receive power, the other end of said driving shaft extending outwardly from the other of said plates being available for delivering power; a driven shaft extending through one of said plates; means located between said plates for connecting said shafts and including a plurality of sets of gear teeth connected to said driving shaft, each set having a different number of teeth; a differential gearing mechanism arranged to combine a plurality of different rates of rotation and transmit them to the driven shaft; a plurality of countershafts, different ratio gears connecting each of said countershafts and said differential gearing mechanism for transmitting the rotation of said countershafts to said differential gearing mechanism, means adjustable along each of said countershafts and arranged to selectively connect the countershafts with said sets of gear teeth, an indicator positively connected to each of said last named adjustable means for identifying the set of gear teeth with which its countershaft is connected, said indicators being disposed closely adjacent each other and in a manner whereby together they provide a readily readable unitary indication in correspondence with the ratio of rotation between the driven and the driving shafts.

22. In a computing mechanism, the combination of a frame having a pair of spaced apart supporting members, a driving shaft passing through said members and having one end extending outwardly from one of said members and available for connection to a rotating member and having its other end extending outwardly from the other of said members, and available for connection to an indicator; a driven shaft extending through one of said supporting members; means located between said supporting members for connecting said shafts and including a plurality of sets of gear teeth connected to said driving shaft, each set having a different number of teeth, a differential gearing mechanism having a driven member connected to said driven shaftv and at least two driving members, means for rotating said driving members including a plurality of countershafts and means adjustable along each of said countershafts and arranged to selectively connect the countershafts with said sets of gear teeth, and an indicator connected 

